Applications open Jan. 1 for Lawrence Police Dept. Citizens’ Academy

Those who live or work in Lawrence soon will have an opportunity to see what the Lawrence Police Dept. is all about. Applications for the citizens’ academy program will open Jan. 1.

The academy returns following a one-year hiatus. The upcoming class will be the second since the department brought the program back.

Bigsbee

“A lot of people wanted to get more engaged with the workings of the police department,” Deputy Chief Curtis Bigsbee said. “We have our regular community crime watch, but they wanted to know a little bit more and get more engaged with the department. We had a lot of interest and a lot of people wanted to see if they could start it back up.”

LPD will accept 30 applicants. The application deadline is Feb. 1. The program begins in March. The program is free but attendees are required to purchase a $45 citizen’s academy shirt.

Bigsbee said attendees will receive clear insight into how the police department functions.

“What’s unique to our citizen’s academy (is), we collaborate with other agencies,” Bigsbee said. “For instance, we have a discussion panel.”

The discussion panel includes an FBI Indianapolis Field Office special agent, U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler, LPD Chief David Hofmann, Supt. of State Police, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept. Chief Bryan Roach and other law enforcement officials.

“(Attendees) are able to ask the leaders in law enforcement for Marion County questions on how we cooperate and how we work together,” Bigsbee said.